Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently I have been asked by a number of people how the Florida permit system works. I have had to tell them I honestly do not know exactly. But I would like to know so I can go back to people with an update and so i can pass this on in the future when I am asked. From my understanding of what I last heard, the permit requires 1000 hours of unpaid hours with a current holder of the permit (did not know if there was a length of time they were required to be a holder prior). I also understood the permit is the same for all exotics requiring a permit. ex. A permit for a green mamba would be the same permit obtained for a ring tailed lemur. This does not sound correct and I am sure I am way off on the way the system works so can someone please give me the full and correct information? Thanks in advance and I will thank you after the fact as well : )

That not true. The Florida Venomous reptiles license is only for venomous reptiles. There are different classes in which certain aninmals such as crocodilians and mammals fall under. For further information, check out Florida Fish and Wildlife at www.MYFWC.com. I hope that clears it up for ya somewhat.

Joe

The Florida Venomous Keepers Society has a page on their site relating to Florida laws. It also references the statutes by number that should help greatly in searching Florida statutes. It is located at: http://www.floridavenomous.org/laws.htm

Hope this helps.

Clif

Here is the exact language as stated on the application from Fish & Wildlife:

"Provide documentation of a minimum of one year experience (to consist of no less than 1000 hours) within the family(s) of venomous reptiles, for which the permit is requested. Include a description of the specific experience, dates and location(s) where acquired. Include no less than two reference letters from individuals having personal knowledge of your stated experience."

Clif

I am guessing you would need a permit for each individual species of venomous you are keeping then...that would not mean you need 1000 hours of experience and 2 letters of proof for every species you house. That ounds a little odd and I am sure I read that wrong. This is why I am asking on here, I am guessing people who carry the permits would know. Sorry to take your time on this and thanks again.

Only one permit is required for collecting. They just want to know what species (no limit) you will be keeping and where they will be located (an inspection will follow). The following URL may clear up some of the confusion.

http://myfwc.com/permits/JJRep_Frog_Regs.pdf

I believe there IS another permit required for selling venomous reptiles and there is also the $1,000 bond requirement for exhibiting same. Hope this helps.

Clif

Permits for most other exotics work that way.
Class I (really dangerous mammals and crocodilians): is all one permit but you need to meet the requirements seperately for unrelated species or possibly each species depending on interpretation.
Class II (fairly dangerous stiff): same deal, but fewer requirements.
Class III (relativly safe stuff): same deal, but almost no requirements other than applying, more requirements for some monkeys (I think, it's been a while since I looked into Class III).

Venomous reptiles are completely separate from the above classes.
You need 1000 hours of documented experience. Paid or unpaid doesn't matter, but good luck finding paid work doing it. This must be over a period of at least 1 year, but you're not likely to finish it any faster than that unless you get full time job doing it, which is not likely without already having the permit.

The next part is somewhat open to interpretation.
The regs say to dmonstrate 1000 hours working with the species you want to keep or similar species in the same "biological order" with similar husbandry. Well, most of us are interested in the biological order Squamata (all snakes, lizards and amphisbanians) and most snakes have pretty similar husbandry. If you've worked with a mamba, a cobra, a rattlesnake, a tree viper and a gila, you've about got it covered. My understanding is that (as someone else said) this is mostly a matter of them wanting to keep track of what you have in case they have to go deal with it. I don't believe there is any provision on the permit for restricting you to keeping specifically what you applied for, and you can then get any venomous reptile (with the exception of a few sea snakes that are covered under a separate "nuisence species" provision). I would reccomend that as long as you have to do the 1000 hours, you make it worth while and try to work with as many species as you can (but not at first). Handling certain species can be surprisingly different from related species even when the husbandry is basically identical.

The other big thing noone else has mentioned so far (and the reason I don't have a full permit yet) is that you need a secure snake room. That means not only locking to keep people out, but sealed to keep snakes in. Screen your vents and windows, plaster or caulk any cracks, and make sure there are no gaps around the door.

You need a serarate permit to sell venomous (or any reptile for that matter),

You need yet another permit to exhibit venomous.

np